SC delegation participates in conference focused on the role of science for Brazil’s economy and social advances

The first day of the Southern Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Conference brought together more than 450 people at UTFPR in Curitiba. Participants debate suggestions listed at state conferences and will prepare a document for the national stage

More than 450 people, including students, teachers and researchers from Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina participate in the 5th Southern Regional Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation, which in this edition takes place in Paraná. The event is held at the Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR), in Curitiba, and opened this Thursday, 25th, with the presence of the Secretary of Science and Technology for Social Development of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI ), Inácio Arruda, and representatives of state governments in the southern region of Brazil.

The importance of the state and regional stages of the Conference was emphasized by Diogo Quintino, director of Science, Technology and Innovation at the Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation of Santa Catarina (SCTI). “At state conferences we were able to raise the challenges to understand how the entire innovation axis works and, from that, in a regional scenario, create connected public policies to accelerate the scientific and technological movement in the three states”, he points out.

The program includes thematic panels, working groups and plenary sessions involving the entire scientific community. Public and private higher education institutions, representatives of the productive sector and innovation-promoting environments participate to discuss short, medium and long-term proposals for Brazilian science.

With the theme Justice, Sustainability and Development, participants debate, over these two days, suggestions listed in state conferences, held between March and April this year. The compiled document will be used to prepare the new National Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy (ENCTI), for the period from 2024 to 2030.

Inácio Arruda noted that, of the regional events, this is the biggest, showing the great mobilization of the South. “It broke all records”, he said. He assessed the role of science and technology for the country’s sovereignty and to respond to social dilemmas, such as security, urbanization and environmental preservation.

The president of the Center for Management and Strategic Studies (CGEE), an institution linked to MCTI, Fernando Rizzo, spoke about the growing participation of Southern states in the development of science and technology. “Integration between states facilitates victory in the face of challenges,” he said, highlighting the expanded use of artificial intelligence and its impacts on science and learning. “You can’t use old solutions for new problems, which is why these discussions are so important.”

Research support – During the two-day Conference, participants form working groups and discuss topics such as: reindustrialization and support for business innovation; strategic programs and projects; Social development; popularization of science; and expansion of the National Science, Technology and Innovation System.

The program also includes thematic panels, working groups and deliberative plenary sessions to vote on propositions for Brazilian science.

The initiative also contributes to the definition of public policies at the state level. In Paraná, the debate articulates partnership and cooperation actions aligned with the Multi-Year Plan, aimed at a knowledge-based economy.

Phases – Throughout Brazil, regional CTI conferences are an integral part of the national conference, which will be promoted by MCTI between June 4th and 6th, in Brasília. This larger event involves the coordination of more than 40 institutions and eight ministries. The conferences in the Southeast and North regions took place on April 11th and 12th, in Vila Velha (ES), and April 18th and 19th, in Manaus. After the South region, events are planned for the Central-West, on April 29th and 30th, in Goiânia (GO) and in the Northeast, on May 2nd and 3rd, in Recife (PE).

The program also includes contributions from different public and private higher education institutions. The panels and lectures are broadcast on the channel YouTube of the Virtual University of Paraná (UVPR).

Fapesc also participates in the Conference

The president of Fapesc, Fábio Wagner Pinto, participated in the panel “Justice, Sustainability and Development”, where he debated with the president of the Araucária Foundation, Ramiro Wahrhafti, and the president of the Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio Grande do Sul ( Fapergs), Odir Dellagostin, on the development of public policies aimed at the scientific and technological segment.

“The panel showed how our states have similar challenges, how we can work together and how we can demand more resources to strengthen this Science, Technology and Innovation network in the south of the country. It is always very important and enriching to be together, exchange ideas and think about new notices and new sources of funding. Very relevant topics were discussed in this panel, such as health and ESG”, says the president of Fapesc.

In addition to the president, the foundation was represented at the event by the director of Science, Technology and Innovation, Valeska Tratsk.

The proposals raised at the CTI Southern Regional Conference will be forwarded to the 5th National Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation, which will take place from June 4th to 6th, in Brasília.

Santa Catarina State Research and Innovation Support Foundation (Fapesc)

Milena Nandi / [email protected]

Telephone: (49) 98878-7828